Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Jun 18, 2018 23:57:26 GMT -5

Nothing but darkness surrounded him as he fell. The warrior of light, the proud warrior that had once prided himself in his devotion to the light had now been rewarded with banishment into the world of darkness. While he fell Garland was most likely heading off to begin his mission of spreading discord across the universe. Zest couldn’t allow Garland to do as he pleased, but in the condition he was all he could do was merely try and say alive. As he fell he found it hard enough to even stay conscious. His body felt like it would tear in half and perhaps that statement wasn’t that far from the truth.

Zest was now in a realm where everything was nothing but darkness, where reality twisted and bended as it held numerous terrors. The gravity was a bit different as his descent began to slow as he fell downwards, but eventually with a very hard contact, Zest’s back made contact with the ground of the realm of darkness, causing the warrior to release a gasp of air from his mouth. Dull blue eyes could only stare upwards at the empty darkness as he remained on the ground.

Alongside him fell the mere empty husk of blades that fell to the side. They were mere remnants from the keyblade graveyard, the dead keyblades that fell alongside Zest when Garland opened the rift into the realm of darkness. Those blade, their wielders and the world where they fell, they all held an immense past and importance to the future. Zest desired to learn more about these blades, he needed to know in order to prepare himself for what was to come.

He couldn’t say idle and he couldn’t help but fear some worry over his companions. He could only hope that they would be able to be strong enough to fend off Garland and that the words of the dark knight would not affect them. Weakly the knight rolled over to his stomach and slowly he begun to try and rise once more. His wound began to drip a tad, but Zest managed to get to his knees and rest his arms on the ground, raising his body slightly up with a pant. With a flash of light his blade appeared in his hand, but at most he could only stick the tip into the ground and use it as a brace. His eyes were dull and blue, almost lifeless, but nonetheless he still tried to move and raised his body further up to the point where he was only resting on one knee. He needed to move before the beasts begun to prey upon him, but at moment getting to the position he was in was perhaps all he could manage.

Post by gula on Jul 11, 2018 19:19:36 GMT -5

Well, this was quite the detour.

Gula had been continuing his fight against the Heartless and the Darkness. Aside from the Master and Invi, he hadn't seen hide nor hair of any other Foreteller. That was probably for the best. Gula's body was exhausted at the moment, wracked with pain. He had just gotten into a skirmish with a rather large group of Heartless and some silver creatures he hadn't ever seen before. He managed to take them down, but had to escape to a world, ANY world. Unfortunately, Gula wasn't particularly careful about what he wished for. Now he was a beacon of light in a world of inescapable and oppressive Darkness. The Realm of Darkness. He was no stranger to this place, of course. The Foretellers had to train Keybladers to fight in such Darkness before the War. However, he had hoped he wouldn't see it again. It was not a place for the faint of heart. Gula wondered how many lost their lives trying to traverse this expanse. Or worse, submitted to it. Would he be next, with his battered, bruised body and dirtied attire? Gula would simply have to find out for himself.

Maybe he'd find the death he desired.

---

It felt like hours since Gula arrived, but he hadn't found anyone or anything. That is, until picked up the scent of a Heart suffused with Light. Suffused with a LOT of Light, actually. Gula walked towards the source of that Light. He wasn't sure why he was doing so. A Light this powerful could only belong to one of his fellow Foretellers, people Gula wasn't really interested in meeting again. However, he didn't recognize it as any one of his former comrades. A Keyblader? That was possible, certainly. However, as Gula dragged his body up a hill, he saw what looked like a Knight. One straight out of a fairy tale, it seemed. He didn't seem to wield a Keyblade, but he probably wasn't a slouch in a fight. He also looked about as beat up as Gula himself. Even more so, from the looks of things. Gula then saw movement nearby. The Heartless appeared, thirteen Shadows and a few Soldiers and Air Soldiers. Gula sighed. He just couldn't catch a break.

Gula cast Curaga on the fairy tale knight, hoping he wasn't too beat up to fight. Then, in an instant, Gula used Leopard's Stride to appear at the knight's side in a blink of an eye, slicing through a few Heartless with his Keyblade, now in his hand. He then turned his back on the knight and faced the opponents. Gula said nothing for now. There was time for talk after they were out of this mess. He just hoped he didn't pass out mid-battle.

----------

Curaga: Gula can cast this spell to heal the vast majority of his wounds. [Cooldown: 3 posts]

Leopard's Stride: Gula relies on speed to outpace and outmaneuver his foes. Through this ability, Gula can Blink a short distance, moving so fast as to appear to be teleporting. This can be used to dodge attacks as well as close the distance to his opponent in an instant. [Uses: 1] [Cooldown: 1 post]

Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Jul 16, 2018 20:14:00 GMT -5

Stand...he needed to stand...

If Zest could not move and if he could not fight then this was where his life would come to an end. He could not meet his end just yet, not when there were things that he needed to do. Garland was still running rampant and Zest could not allow the fallen knight to do as he pleased. His legs were shaking and threatening to give way while his hand was barely able to even hold the hilt of his blade. Things only grew worse as the denizens of the realm begun to form. Numerous heartless took form before the knight, ready to rip out the light from his being. He was powerless and weak, but he did not give into despair. Garland desired to fill his being with hopelessness and anguish, to feel his quest was one of futility, but Zest would not lose. Battered and wounded, Zest still looked on at the face of his death, prepared to fight. He still held a belief in the light...and that light answered his call.

The intense pain he felt began to fade and the strength he was desperate to reclaim was now returning to his body, gifting him what he truly desired. The grip upon his hilt tightened and his legs held enough energy to once more stand again. Pulling his blade from the ground and taking hold of his shield, the warrior stood up straight and closed his eyes calmly as another appeared and stood behind him. The one behind him exuded a strong remarkable force of light, something that the warrior could realize, but while normally placing one’s trust into a stranger so easily was foolish, with all the heartless surrounding them Zest had no choice to place his trust into the person behind him.

“You have my thanks...” Zest merely spoke as he opened his eyes and looked forward and narrowed his eyes. Raising his shield and swinging his blade, he pointed the tip downwards as he a few Shadows and Soldiers suddenly lunged at him attempting to rip his heart out. The heartless made contact with his shield and the defensive weapon prevented them from moving any further. As they pushed against his shield Zest narrowed his eyes and thrust his shield forward as the tip of his blade begun to glow. The heartless were knocked a tad back and the very moment they were knocked back Zest immediately swung his blade upwards, releasing his Shinning Wave that begun to plow through the heartless before him, destroying some of the Shadows while damaging the mores stronger heartless and knocking them back. Without hesitation Zest quickly begun to dash forward with his blade ready to deal with the other heartless before him.

Shinning WaveThe warrior of light immediately sticks his sword into the ground and immediately swings the sword upwards. Upon doing so pillars of light will burst out of the ground and head towards the enemy. (3 post cooldown)

Post by gula on Jul 21, 2018 11:55:28 GMT -5

Gula heard the thanks and took a brief glance at the holy knight. Well, at least he had gratitude. He also had a ton of power, considering the move he just pulled. Gula's assessment of his Heart proved to be pretty accurate. However, there was no time to pat himself on the back. The Heartless drew ever closer to him. Gula ran his hand over his Keyblade, casting Boost II on it. It was on the strongest boosts he had and he intended to make good use out of it. Gula then threw his Keyblade at an Air Soldier, cutting right through him. It seem to freeze in mid-air as Gula suddenly appeared behind it, grabbing his Keyblade and slicing downwards, destroying the Air Soldier instantly. He then noticed a Soldier trying to swipe at him, so Gula blocked the dangerous claws. As he struggled with the creature, his fatigue trying to ensure his defeat, Gula looked over to the Warrior of Light to make sure he was doing well. Then he spied his surroundings and what Gula found was not pretty.

More Heartless were coming. Not that this wasn't a surprising outcome but Gula was unhappy about this. Gula was fatigued and he was sure his fellow Warrior had only just recovered from being on his last legs. Either way, the Foreteller had a feeling that they weren't prepared for this many enemies coming at once. Still, the Master hadn't taught Gula how to give up, so he still had to fight on and hope either one of them had enough in their tank to keep going. Gula pushed the Soldier's claw up away from him and then sliced across the Heartless's midsection, destroying him instantly. He then continued his fight, occasionally making sure that none of the Heartless tried to flank the other Warrior. He just had to hope support came their way.

----

Curaga: Gula can cast this spell to heal the vast majority of his wounds. [Cooldown: 2 posts]

Leopard's Stride: Gula relies on speed to outpace and outmaneuver his foes. Through this ability, Gula can Blink a short distance, moving so fast as to appear to be teleporting. This can be used to dodge attacks as well as close the distance to his opponent in an instant. [Uses: 1] [Cooldown: 1 post]

Boost II: With this, Gula can boost the power of his physical attacks by two tiers higher for the duration. As above, only one Boost can be activated at a time. [Duration: 2 posts][Cooldown: 4 posts]

Trickster Raid: Gula throws his Keyblade, much like a Strike Raid. However, whether the opponent dodges or is hit by the initial Strike Raid, Gula blinks to the Keyblade in mid-flight. Now behind his opponent and strikes at the opponent's back. This attack deals Medium damage if one attack hits and Heavy damage if both attacks hit. [Cooldown: 3 posts]

Post by Lightning Farron on Jul 21, 2018 18:18:01 GMT -5

Wishes and dreams I want to come true. The feelings I wish I could tell you. A miracle created from the things I've always believed is connected to the future. Always, always I want you to watch over me, my dear friend.

● Make my wish come true...let darkness slip aside

Light.

It was what many of those she cared about called her. Maybe it was due to how much simpler it was to say in a moment's notice or perhaps it was how they saw her. It changed her worth, utterly. No longer was she feared, respected. Lightning was something that could not be tamed by man. It was deadly and ... temporary. But Light? Light always rose over the horizon and was present at night. It warmed the fields and nurtured the hungry.

Light.

She was asleep. Floating through the darkness she took comfort. There was no fear when it came to the harbor of its shadows for within it she knew there was a light that could always be found. Seemingly lifeless her weightless form trailed through the familiar void of the Crux. Her breathing was shallow as if she was in some form of deep sleep and yet she was deeply aware of the everything and nothingness around her.

Light.

The call became stronger. She jerked restlessly in her sleep. Her hands clenched into fists at her side as she opened her eyes with a harsh glare gripping her features. A pulse of chaos rippled through the coils of time. Another timeline destroyed. But it was not the usual ebb and flow of existence she was used to. This one has not yet happened, but has and created a calamity. She shifted her body as one of the larger gears passed by. Landing upon its surface she stood against the logic of gravity. Here she was the master and if she so wished to step along the void with the ease of walking the ground: so she would.

She stood with what a normal perspective would find upon the wall's side, but in the Crux there was no true up and down. She looked to the gear, inside it a portal to a world she had almost forgotten about. Her lips parted, breathe exhaled with a quiver of amusement cast from her chest. She rest her hand on her hip, the hilt over her blade grasped in her leather bound hand. The skirt of feathers around her hip fluttered in the windless void, as if faced with a chilly coastal breeze. Raising her head she looked into the shadowy abyss.

her blue eyes traced the portal, her step causing the path to expand from its reduced size. "So, you're back." She leaned back as the grasping shadows attempted to pull from the twist in space and time. "Alright," Her lips quirked. "Show me what you've got." Feeling the warmth of light fill her body she cast away the chaos clung to her skin within the void.

It looked as if she gained color over her faded form. She pushed into the darkness, letting it pull her in with casual ease. No fear, no worries just the embrace of darkness. It pulled her in, dragging her into its depth before the warrior goddess was unceremoniously lurched from a gate. She shifted her weight just in time to roll mid-air and drop, in a crouch, onto the lifeless soils of the twisted Realm. She raised her had, a small Heartless skittering passed her to fill the ranks of its fallen brethren. She furrowed her brows as it seemed the light from the living drew their hunger or better yet -- their hearts.

She raised her head as a gate opened behind her. "Enough!" Her voice was commanding.

The clock than stopped.

Nothing around her seemed to move as she created a stall in time, slowing the world around her. She charged forward and would come behind the Heartless that had passed her. With a single motion she struck it down before sliding into range of ant gathered Heartless using Blitz to rip apart any too close to her range. Sliding back on her heel she threw out her arm to send a deadly Elementaga into any of the remaining horde. She could feel time starting to move again. This would allow her a chance to expend her last seconds on the two defending themselves... She held up her hand, summoning her inner light. With it she cast a wall of healing energy over the two, letting her Curaga touch upon the wounded.

Overclock - 5 Cooldown

With this ability Lightning can slow down time or even freeze it, for a one post duration, giving her the chance to strike an enemy while use moves at normal speeds. This ability allows Lighting to add an extra attack to her arsenal (instead of a three attack pool, Lightning will have a four attack pool).

Blitz - 3 Cooldown

This attack does damage to all enemies within a 2m(6ft) radius.

Elementga - 6 Cooldown

This attack contains all four elements (lightning, fire, ice and wind) which does damage to a single target. This attack does heavy damage, but will reduce to half if opponent is resistant to a single element.

Curaga - 3 Cooldown

Can be used to restore moderate health of a target, healing wounds inflicted by enemy attacks.

Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Aug 1, 2018 0:15:05 GMT -5

The Warrior of Light’s wounds still throbbed in pain, but he continued on. He had the energy to fight, nothing more and nothing less. To fight was all he could do and was something he would do so long as he continued to exist. It was the sole purpose why he was made and he chose to fulfill that purpose even if he didn’t know that was what he was made for. The reason he fought was so that he could protect, but in this world of darkness, that changed. This fight was nothing more than just a fight for survival, a true test of his light.

The warrior’s body begun to move fearlessly forward, blade in his right hand while his shield held firmly in the left. With his shield, he pushed back any who dared to attempt to harm him and with his blade, he cleaved through the heartless. The pain his body held slowed down his movements, but he was relentless in his blows. Those out of range were struck by his shield as he tossed it at the flying air soldiers, the shield returning back to his hand as he combined his usage with his shield with his swordplay.

Slowly gathering numerous heartless into one area Zest immediately awaited the moment and quickly swung his shield at an upwards curve and performed his Ascension skill. Knocked by the shield’s strike, Zest immediately swung his blade downwards and then upwards with a mighty blow that propelled the group of released his weapons, allowing them to spin around them and coat him with a crystal of light that struck the heartless above him. Taking grasp of his blade he immediately thrust his blade skyward and released his Rune Blade and destroyed the heartless leaving nothing but a mist of darkness that began to fade.

The heartless were relentless and numerous. Despite the blow, they still continued onwards and as Zest landed back upon the ground his eyes narrowed as he looked on upon the group of heartless heading towards him. At that moment his vision suddenly began to blur and a sharp pain assaulted his head. Staggering a tad the warrior placed his hand upon his head, gripping his silver locks of hair. His blurred eyes tried to look forward, but what he saw was entirely different. Instead of seeing heartless heading towards him in the darkened realm, he witnessed what seemed to be a hoard of numerous crystalized warriors marching towards him with an aura of pure death. The memory was playing before him, but Zest’s eyes immediately shut tightly trying to blot out the unknown pain he was feeling in his head.

Zest’s eyes jolted open perhaps at a time too close for comfort as a soldier heartless lunged at him once more. His vision back to normal, Zest immediately swung his blade cleaving through the soldier’s chest before preparing for the next bout. His mind and body were fatigued, but he still pushed himself and gritted his teeth trying to push through. It was then that a member of the light stepped before them and Zest’s attention turned to the newcomer.

The remainder of heartless that had been formed had been torn apart by an armored woman with pink hair and once again he felt the warmth of healing magic restore his energy. The woman seemed familiar to him, a person he should have known, but could not recall in his memories. The migraine threatened to return once more, but it was minor and Zest could only close his eyes calmly as they had finished off the remaining heartless around them for now. “...I thank you...” Zest said opening his eyes as he looked over his shoulder at the hooded man “...both of you...” Zest said as he glanced upwards. “I...did not expect to see any other in such deep darkness...If I may ask, what brings the two of you here?” Zest said calmly. Of course it was foolish to blindly trust them, but even so, Zest continued to hold his vlade more so because there was always the possibility the heartless would strike again.

Shinning WaveThe warrior of light immediately sticks his sword into the ground and immediately swings the sword upwards. Upon doing so pillars of light will burst out of the ground and head towards the enemy. (2 post cooldown)

AscensionThe warrior of light tosses his shield at a upward curve. Those that get hit by the shield will be drawn to the warrior, who will then slash the opponent downwards then up into the sky. (1 post cooldown)

Rune SaberA follow up to Ascension. Upon knocking the opponent upwards the warrior jumps after the opponent and creates a crystal of light from underneath the opponent. This crystal will continue to strike the opponent upwards. While the crystal assaults the opponent the warrior’s sword and shield will both spin around crystal and then return to the warrior when the crystal disappears. When the crystal disappears the warrior immediately thrusts his sword upwards, creating a giant blade of light that knocks the opponent even higher into the sky. (3 post cooldown)

Post by gula on Aug 3, 2018 11:26:24 GMT -5

Gula kept fighting the Heartless, exhaustion continuing to threaten to overtake him. However, he would not let it, not until this knight had, at least, fled to another world. But the more Gula fought, the more Heartless appeared. This looked to be the end for Gula. Not the way he really wanted to go but probably the way he deserved. After all, the Keyblade War probably wouldn't have happened if he hadn't just blindly followed the Master's teachings, assuming he knew what was best. But this would be his penance. He had known this would be the case since he last spoke to the Master. But he wasn't going to go without a fight, at least. The Heartless would have fight to their last Shadow to keep Gula down.

Then... it stopped.

Gula had looked around. The Heartless had been torn apart in a second. One instant, there was an overwhelming force seeking to overwhelm him and the knight. The next, they had all been cut down. Even more, Gula suddenly felt a light encompass him, healing his wounds and his exhaustion. He looked over to find a woman had joined them in shining armor. Sheesh, where did all the knights come from all of a sudden? Gula wondered whether the two even knew each other. The male knight got up and walked over to them and thanked them for their help. Gula looked away, scowling. He didn't exactly deserve the thanks, all things considered, but if it helped him sleep at night. Then he asked what brought the two of them here. What the heck kind of question is that? "I didn't exactly choose to come here. I had to escape and... well, let's just say I wasn't picky about where I was escaping to."

Gula shook his head. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. The both of you need to leave. Right now. You're right smack dab in the middle of the Realm of Darkness. More Heartless are gonna be on their way if you don't get a move on." Gula hoped that however the female knight managed to arrive was a two-way transport. Otherwise... well, Gula could use the Corridors of Light to get them out of here. However, he couldn't promise that the Corridors would lead them anywhere they wanted to be. But then again, an exit's an exit, even if that's the reason Gula was in his current predicament.

------------------

Curaga: Gula can cast this spell to heal the vast majority of his wounds. [Cooldown: 1 post]

Leopard's Stride: Gula relies on speed to outpace and outmaneuver his foes. Through this ability, Gula can Blink a short distance, moving so fast as to appear to be teleporting. This can be used to dodge attacks as well as close the distance to his opponent in an instant. [Uses: 1] [Cooldown: 1 post]

Boost II: With this, Gula can boost the power of his physical attacks by two tiers higher for the duration. As above, only one Boost can be activated at a time. [Duration: 1 post][Cooldown: 4 posts]

Trickster Raid: Gula throws his Keyblade, much like a Strike Raid. However, whether the opponent dodges or is hit by the initial Strike Raid, Gula blinks to the Keyblade in mid-flight. Now behind his opponent and strikes at the opponent's back. This attack deals Medium damage if one attack hits and Heavy damage if both attacks hit. [Cooldown: 2 posts]

Post by Lightning Farron on Aug 15, 2018 11:45:27 GMT -5

Wishes and dreams I want to come true. The feelings I wish I could tell you. A miracle created from the things I've always believed is connected to the future. Always, always I want you to watch over me, my dear friend.

● Make my wish come true...let darkness slip aside

Lightning landed without a sound, despite her armor. This world always worked apart from all others. Her time here was limited, but it was also shifted often. The former Warrior of Etro could still hear the many voices that occupied this space. The cries of the fallen and vacant bodies that consumed hearts. The Valkyrie still felt the stiffness of her transition. She was only able to strike thrice during the time freeze. Rolling her shoulders she allowed her senses to adjust to this world, ever the trial in a world inundated in darkness. When the man's gaze met hers she was taken by a memory from long ago. But in the five hundred years she had come and gone from time she could never be sure what memory belonged here. Her sleep would have been eternal had it not been for...

She stared at the man a bit longer. She could not place the memory. In time. For it was all she had. the reaper turned her gaze toward the masked man. If he could be called a man. Age was irrelevant to a warrior, but it was important to her humanity. There were times that nagging big sister inside of her could not help but be worried for the youth who found themselves deep in battle. Where children did not belong. She stared off as Gula spoke to Zest. One thing was right -- they did need to leave. But the problem stood.

"The gates are closed." She muttered, mostly to herself. She couldn't see any of her gates in this Darkness, meaning that someone was keeping it closed. "With them writhing around as they are, and you two wounded, finding a way out right now isn't a luxury we have." She spoke as if she could see the lanes between the worlds. "They'll pounce again within moments.Cure is only good for surface injuries and he doesn't look like he'd make it more than two steps." Lightly put her sword back on her hip. She moved over to Zest in order to tuck under his arm and help him up. "Sometimes you lose a battle, to win a war, but that doesn't mean you give up hope." Her voice was gentle, understanding.

She couldn't chase away that sense of familiarity she carried with Zest. Almost as if he was someone she once looked up to. But her words too held a sense of memory from long ago. It was a time when she was most vulnerable and felt it was her duty to make her own fate. She looked to Gula. leaving the decision between him and Zest. Did they want to risk the horde, or whatever worse out there was waiting to pounce once their backs were turned? It didn't matter to her either way, because she would stick with them.

Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Sept 27, 2018 14:03:07 GMT -5

It was perhaps the strength of will that had allowed him to fight and stand as firm as he did. Zest was merely an inch away from death, but the repeated sets of cure were basically what kept him standing and what allowed him to fight. He fought with all he had, but he was pushing it. His breath was growing rough and it was growing more and more difficult to remain standing. Throughout his travels, with his comrades and even when he stood before those in distress, Zest always stood strong before them no matter what. He stood as a form of motivation and hope to those he fought for even if his body was weak and broken. So long as he could stand he could at the very least try and stand as a form of inspiration, but to do such a thing even now was difficult. The warrior was weary and he could not say that the loss to Garland was something that didn’t affect him in some way. It wasn’t just a battle of blades and blood, but a challenge of will and ideals that he was defeated in. Though his light remained ever strong, the challenge to push on was difficult.

The masked man began to respond to him speaking about the fact that he had no choice in coming to the realm of darkness. Whatever caused this masked man to flee to a land as dangerous as this only spoke how desperate he must have been to escape. Unable to really inquire what caused him to come to the realm of darkness, the masked man soon began to exclaim how important it was to get out of the realm. They were certainly in a difficult position and Zest unfortunately was not much help. Though he could fight, he was still severely limited. He had no idea how to get out and in that scenario, if they followed his lead then they would merely be roaming around blindly.

The pink haired woman began to speak once more and affirmed what Zest was beginning to think. Seeking out an exit meant delving deeper into this unknown realm and encountering even more enemies. The woman also took note of their condition and Zest couldn’t help but close his eyes. “My apologies…” Zest stated disappointed in himself. Had he been healthy he would have been able to be of more help, but in his state, it wasn’t long until those wounds of his truly begun to completely hamper him.

Perhaps the masked warrior had a way to escape, or maybe he was quite rash in tryi,ng to get away, but in haste the man began to run off alone, perhaps attempting to leave on his own or maybe had his own business to attend to. Gritting his teeth at how fatigued he was that he couldn’t even follow, the warrior’s eyes immediately began to widen as he felt the woman support him by placing his arm over her. His body that had tried its best to stand strong stumbled a bit the moment he felt support inadvertently relaxing a tad now that it had help. He glanced down at her and listened to her words and then a warm feeling began to envelop him deep within. His memories could not recall such words, but his heart did and that nostalgic feeling weld up deep within. The stoic and calm warrior could only close his eyes and smile a small yet soft smile as he listened to her words. “Yes, that is right...we choose our own fate…” Zest softly.

As it seemed the two of them would be working together and so long as they remained in this realm then they needed to know what they were going to do next. “My apologies I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Zest, I am a warrior that bears the title of Warrior of Light” Zest said closing his eyes once more. “Though escape from this realm should be our first concern, I believe we shouldn’t be rash. I…can still fight, but at this point, I will be a burden if I force myself further…” Zest said. Though a warrior who would leap into a battle unflinching and courageously, he knew when it was best to take heed of one’s limits.

The warrior truly felt weak and it was an annoyance when Garland was most likely still roaming about learning of ways to plunge the world into chaos. “...I had hoped to at the very least examine this realm…” Zest said as he glanced upwards at the black sky. “There are still numerous things I must learn in order to combat my nemesis Garland” Zest said as his eyes glanced over at the lifeless keyblades that laid upon the ground “Those key-shaped blades...before I was banished to this realm I was fighting in a field coated with them, almost like graves…it held the feeling of nothing but death" Zest said closing his eyes "…something is stirring in the worlds…something dangerous I feel…” Zest said calmly.

Post by Lightning Farron on Oct 3, 2018 9:50:53 GMT -5

Wishes and dreams I want to come true. The feelings I wish I could tell you. A miracle created from the things I've always believed is connected to the future. Always, always I want you to watch over me, my dear friend.

● Make my wish come true...let darkness slip aside

The Valkyrie had hefted the warrior of light to his feet, or at least as much as she would be able. By the time she was able to look up from her actions it would have seemed the masked vigilante had taken heed to his own advice and gotten away as fast as he could. She wasn't surprised. the darkness was not a place many cared to linger. For Lightning, who had spent many lifetimes with her eyes closed to the light she was more used to it than she cared to admit. Facing foes of irregular strength and the enemy that was her own self-doubt she could stand against the harrowing whispers that often trailed behind one in such circumstances. She sighed out and looked to the man as he introduced himself.

As he claimed his title as a warrior for the light the maiden heard remnants of his voice, pieced away in her memory. She tried to grasp them, only to gather an image of a figure similar to Etro. Her crystal blue eyes turned to the ground as she sighed out audibly, though it had not been the weight produced by the weakened knight. The familiarity between them was palatable. She almost felt like scolding him, but it would be strange for someone he hardly knew to give him an earful. She pushed the thought away and began to walk. Though everything was bathed in a thick darkness a light did manage to permeate the cliffs and valleys of the world, but it was a shadow of light. A memory of what it had once been, of what the would could recall from its dreams. It was not true light, but it kept their path clear in front of them.

Keyblades... she had seen them before, wield like swords and capable of slaying the Heartless, these spawns of chaos. It was unlike anything she had come to witness and she had over five lifetimes under her belt.

"Light." Her voice ring like a beacon in the empty void. Her gaze drifted over to his face. "You can call me Light." It was not something she offered others with ease. There were a select few ever allowed to call her with such formality, a sign of closeness that often left others beneath the heat of her sharp glare.

But she knew Zest. From where she could not yet recall. After waking from her journey in the Crux her memories were still asleep. While her closest dreams remained in her heart: Serah, Snow, Hope -- all of her friends she often had to sort through millennia of dreams to find the memory connecting her to a place. This man was on the surface of some of the more further reaching pieces that scattered o'er the horizon. In time she would be able to find it, but she would pray they not meet with separation before they do, or she would have to sleep once more. For how long -- she never knew.

"Yeah," She agreed with his sentiment. "But we can't worry about it." She affirmed. "You're not good to anyone dead." Almost like a mother the cold, but soothing voice of the matron would remind Zest of his prior foolishness.

She would find a place to sit him down. Reprieve from the Heartless was a rare regard, especially in a world that seemed to breed them. The only sources of Light, which did to keep them at bay yet call their curiosity were Zest and Lightning. She removed herself from acting as his support and stood, her hands on her hips. Her armor was reminiscent of days of olde, where Zest had fought for balance of the world under the guidance of his heart and a Crystal. Lightning was from a new world, freshly born from the divinity of the gods of olde, who had grown apart from the sheltering proverbs of life and death. The Crystal, for her world, was a catalyst of immortality: something ever to be feared rather than revered as most born of its light would.

She reached up to brush back her bangs, but they were defiant and the curls would bounce back to rest over her shoulder when she turned to face the warrior. "Listen, what you did back there was foolish. There are other ways to solve a problem than fighting to the death." What was the point if you died trying?

She felt it ironic that she told him such things where naught but lifetimes ago she had been that way, willing to die if it meant freedom from the shackles of persecution. But she had found her hope again and clung to it fiercely...

Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Oct 9, 2018 23:42:39 GMT -5

As the pair walked through the darkened lands Zest did his best to lighten his load as Lightning helped him walk. He always hated being a burden, to hold anybody back. For the warrior of light he lived to serve other and never wished to hold them back. It was selfless in a way, but a problem he held. He understood that falling back and relying on other was important and that one man could not do everything on his own, but it was hard for him as much as he tried. He never did look down upon his allies and friends however as though he didn’t show it well, he always did in the end hold immense trust in them. Even know he felt he could trust in this unknown woman who had now come to his aid.

This land was nothing but darkness, a darkness he loathed to admit was something he was well acquainted with. Though he lived in a world of light and fought alongside it, those numerous and almost endless defeats still were etched into his being. That darkness would always welcome him with those very failures. It was almost like he was snapped out of a daze as he heard the woman speak out her name. She called herself Light, a name that for some reason brought forth a feeling of unknown nostalgia. It was a name that her friends called her, but a name that he never got a chance to call her by. He was a stern man, but he saw her as a friend. Unfortunately due to the tidings of war perhaps at that time he didn’t deserve to call her by that name. Though his means was so that he could fully end the war and save his allies, in the end he still took the role of traitor nonetheless.

As they continued to walk on Lightning agreed with his sentiment but at the same time it was almost as if she also made a point to remind him of his rash behaviours earlier. Her voice held the firm voice of a chiding tone but at the same time held a soft and almost caring tone. Eventually their trek came to a halt as Lighting placed him down and allowed him to take a seat and pause their current journey. Closing his eyes with a sigh he spread out one leg and rose the knee of his other leg, gently resting his arm onto the risen knee as he sat. Sitting there, Zest merely stared out into the darkness, pondering and wondering what he was going to do in regards to Garland and how their next fight would go. It was perhaps the only thing he really could think of at the moment.

Lightning voice was something that managed to snap Zest out of his thought. The moment she spoke his eyes glanced over towards the standing Valkyrie and he listened to her reprimand him for his actions earlier. “...That is right, it is as you said earlier. I am no good to anybody if I am dead…” Zest said calmly closing his eyes before glancing up at the darkened skies. “But even so, fighting is all I know how to do. I know not of my past of who I am or where I yielded from, but even then I feel as if that past holds nothing but war” Zest said as he closed his eyes, a cool yet soft breeze blowing by in the blackened realm. “...how many times have I died...I wonder…Has it been hundreds? Thousands? I cannot say, but that is merely the working of the endless cycle that the god of discord created. Each of those lifetimes I would fight Chaos along with my allies and we would fail, Chaos would restart the cycle and then we would appear again and fight once more” Zest said“Memories of those lives are buried deep within after each cycle...but each failure, each death is etched into my being. All that is held is the experience of combat…” Zest said. It was the curse of his origin, the curse of being a manikin. Manikins were being heavily reliant on the memories imbued into the being. With each reset those memories continued to sink into his being, never being lost. With that Zest brought one hand and placed it on his head as the migraines began to form. “Those experiences still leak out however and I witness them once more...to fight without end...that is what my being feels...it is all I know…” Zest said lowering his hand from his head. “Even then, when me and my allies finally broke that cycle...I gained freedom from the fight...but Chaos, or rather Garland returned back wishing to continue the fight and cycle…” Zest said narrowing his eyes. “I will gladly accept a life of strife, to fight for eternity, but so long the fight does not leak out, so long as those who wish not to fight are unharmed...then I will fight until I can fully put an end to the cycles…” Zest said.

A deep sigh was released from the warrior’s lips and Zest could not help but shake his head a bit disappointed in himself. “My apologies, I rambled on far too long” Zest said. “I have no intention of dying...there are things that I cannot afford to lose. The memories of my travels and the bonds I share...I wish to never lose them. I will...try to be more careful...” Zest said. Zest was usually the one who did the scolding so it was a bit odd to be the one to be scolded.

Post by Lightning Farron on Oct 12, 2018 18:34:03 GMT -5

Wishes and dreams I want to come true. The feelings I wish I could tell you. A miracle created from the things I've always believed is connected to the future. Always, always I want you to watch over me, my dear friend.

● Make my wish come true...let darkness slip aside

It took the reaper a short time to get a feel for this world. Whenever she traveled through the Crux she had found herself falling into a state of hibernation that existed outside of time. She was not sure if her time stopped between these worlds, or theirs did wherever she existed because when she stepped through the gates it was like being reborn. It was a feeling she knew well after five lifetimes of slumber. But this world was far unlike any she had ever been to. In its sky hung a single moon, a mere imitation of light as whatever sun it carried the memory of did not rise here. There was an unsettling silence here that made the sound of one's drumming heart bang between the ears, blood rushing was an audible distraction. Every heave of breathe the injured warrior made, and every step that the waist of their armors did collide did she become ever more aware of the total emptiness that existed here.

Even the Heartless held no presence which would explain why their approach was always unexpected... it was almost as if they did not exist. But Chaos existed. Shadows were living memories. Were these -- different? When they had come to rest the white-haired warrior would assert that fighting was all he knew. It was like looking at herself in a mirror. It was pathetic and almost embarrassing. While Lightning could sympathize with his plight it was nigh incomprehensible. He wasn't like this.

Yes he was....

She was reminded.

Crossing her arms over her shoulders she resisted the chastising scoff that threatened her lips. She turned her head away, heart brushing over the memory in her heart.

Manikin.

The word caused her head to lift up, eyes turning to the warrior as a glimmer of confusion graced her being. A sting rippled across her temple as a floodgate of memories washed open. Flashes, but nothing concrete. The times shared arguing, fighting.. faces dancing around the light of a faceless god that, for some reason, she could not return. Sometimes she would see this vision of the cosmos in her dreams and mistake her for Etro, but perhaps, at one time, they had been one in the same. His name crawled over her memory, but it was difficult to filter over the many she had spoken through her lips. One, over all of them, stood out: Kain. Though it had not been her last cycle, it had been the only one she had shared with him.

She looked to her hand and wondered how many timelines had she lost to these cycles, how many worlds were born and destroyed by their fighting. She stared at her open palm, the thumb of her freehand brushing over it. She sighed and looked over to him.

"You haven't changed." One would think after so long. "But...maybe you have. You've gotten a bit weaker without a purpose." Though her words were cold, they also were leading. "I guess I'll have to stick with you a bit longer." She stared off, motioning her head down the way. "If you keep acting like that you'll summon more of them. That's how these Chaos born work." She began to walk, leading them through the marginally lit paths in the darkness. "If they sense weakness in you, they feed off it, become stronger. What you need is to find your radiance." She moved with purpose, expecting Zest to find his own strength now that he has had a moment to rest.

Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Oct 16, 2018 15:33:34 GMT -5

Zest was born to fight, it was all he ever did and would ever do. He fought with all his might and he placed his entire being into those fights. Perhaps some would consider that a sad life, a life destined for despair, but Zest never saw it like that. Each fight he fought he fought for a reason even if that very reason was unclear to him. To him there were those that relied on him and cared for him. He treasured the care they gave him and responded to it by the only means he knew how and that was by fighting. He was a being that knew only how to fight. Though he never showed it, though he always stood calm and even looked stone-hearted, Zest treasured those allies even if he could not recall them. He acted as a leader and mentor to his allies so that the fight they fought was one that would lead them to the light, but those precious memories were put to sleep and locked away deep within his being

Zest had lost so many memories during his lifetime. It was almost as if he was destined to always forget about all those moments he shared with others. With the endless cycle severed perhaps he did have a chance to stop forgetting, but what he desired was to recall all that he did forget, even if there was nothing but pain. Being around Lightning brought forth the very same nostalgia that Zidane brought when he first met the thief in La Cite des Cloches. He knew Lightning, he fought alongside and even against her, yet those memories still were locked away. Zest could feel those memories awaken deep inside him, trying to break free from its prison with the remnants that did manage to break through causing conflict with his mind.

Calm blue yet almost hollow eyes glanced over at Lightning as she spoke on. It had seemed Lightning seemed to recall that they knew each other before. Of course, Zest could not say how much detail she could recall, but she knew enough about him to know that he has changed since that time and it was more than he knew himself. Zest never held a desire for most things, but perhaps the return of his memories with those precious warriors was all he desired.

It was true that he had lost the radiance he would use to lead his comrades. He felt weak and helpless, but Lightning’s words brought out something in him. It was a desire to fight, something that would make him want to push forward. Zest had been too focused on fighting, he believed that all he had to do was merely fight no matter what, but that rashness did not lead anywhere. Fighting alone was pointless if there was no conviction placed in the strikes of his blade. He needed a purpose, a new one that would push him through.

Lightning began to walk away, and Zest watched as the woman began to walk. Before he could even make the attempt to walk a burst of memories began to assault his mind. His hand reached to his head as the memories began to play, but they were blurry and quick making hard to perceive but as he watched Lightning a prominent memory played forth clear as day. The body of his allies floating off while the divine dragon circled the area to start the next cycle. Six bodies flew before him, glancing at him as their bodies began to fade away. The last to fade was the very woman that now stood before him. In that memory she gave him a nod, a hopeful confirmation that her job was done, and the rest was up to him. He had sworn to end the war, he swore to save everyone and bring the light back to the world, but he had tarnished his name. He betrayed his allies, yielded the fight and the ones that gained oblivion was not him, but the allies that sacrificed themselves. Though in the end that oblivion was not a true one, that belief that it was true was still there at that momentary time.

Zest’s eyes widened as his hand instinctively reached out almost as if to stop the distant Valkyrie before him, the memory still playing and showing Lightning disappear. That guilt still remained, but such things were never things that would ever hamper the Warrior of Light. His eyes closed calmly and the outstretched hand merely clenched into a fist. His legs began to move, bringing the silver-maned warrior to his feet once more and with it his feet would begin to move, walking until he reached by Lightning’s side.

“Lightning…You have my apologies…and my thanks” Zest said as he glanced over at Lightning. “No matter what destiny may hold, I will not let despair seize me. If I hold no purpose then I shall seek a new one. My blade is one that fights for the light. So long as I hold that conviction I will not lose” Zest said. His mind was firm and strong, the cloudiness was cleared and though his memories were still unknown to him, they were gradually returning. No matter what happened he would fight without being hampered by failure or guilt. That was the person he was, the Warrior of Light who always stood strong before his allies and lead them through the most helpless of times.

Post by Lightning Farron on Oct 20, 2018 19:07:29 GMT -5

Wishes and dreams I want to come true. The feelings I wish I could tell you. A miracle created from the things I've always believed is connected to the future. Always, always I want you to watch over me, my dear friend.

● Make my wish come true...let darkness slip aside

The warrior's steps were hasty, unburdened by the weight of doubt. She was not sure what had triggered the memory, or if it was even from a timeline she had survived, or lived through. Somewhere, in her heart of hearts, she knew him. He was the sort of person she had once wanted to be: a hero who carried the weight of the world in order to protect those close to her. But -- Lightning had been much too selfish in her youth to do such a thing. In the stead of becoming a hero she had become a burden herself, even the catalyst to the end of the world. She had many atrocities beneath her belt, including the murder of a god. She had lived for five hundred years making mistakes, learning, suffering, and experiencing joy. Getting caught by such a memory was naught she could expect to be overcome by.

He was just a piece of a memory. Maybe as they traveled she would remember more.

She looked back over her shoulder as she heard him amble after her. Looking up to the taller male she shrugged. "You've nothing to apologize for." Her gaze returned to the path. "We all lose our way at some point... I just figured you could use a little help." She knew that sometimes -- people needed it.

How long had it been since she faced her demons? Raising her arms she crossed them over her chest and sighed. She wasn't inclined to coddle the man, but neither was she given to leave him to wallow in his grief. Destiny... huh? She stopped and turned to face him.

"Even than, you may lose. You can have the will of the gods going against you -- what matters is what you are willing to do, win or lose. Even if you have to take a few bastards down with you." She winked and moved along. "So, why are you here?" Why was he here?

Post by Zest, Warrior of Light on Feb 17, 2019 1:18:51 GMT -5

The woman before him seemed cold and aloof at first glance, but in reality she was a kind and experienced woman. While true the Lightning he knew was much cold, in the end that kindness was always there deep within and now the Lightning standing before him seemed more willing to actually open up. While of course they had their differences, Zest felt the two of them were similar in a way and perhaps maybe that was why he felt he got along with the fellow knight. He knew she was a part of his memories and while those memories continued to be locked away, he hoped to one day break that lock and fully remember those unknown allies of his.

Lightning stated that everybody loses their way at some point and that was something Zest agreed with. Everyone makes mistakes in life and sometimes one’s path is always darkened from view, but making these mistakes was proof that one was human, it was about how one learned from those mistakes and how they moved forward from it. Zest did not wish to make others worry about him nor for them to solve his problems, but being given the aid he needed was something he was eternally grateful for.

Her next few words perhaps sparked something, perhaps a mere ignition to motivate him. The warrior looked down upon the shorter woman as she spoke and once she was done Zest couldn’t help but close his eyes. What appeared upon the warrior’s face was something rather rare. The corner of his mouth curved a tad and his mouth formed a small smirk in response to her wink. “That’s right, victory is never assured, but I don’t intend on falling without a fight” Zest said as he walked alongside the woman.

As they continued to walk down the darkened realm, Zest’s eyes glanced down over at Lightning as she asked why he was even here in the first place. “Call it...a punishment for losing. I fought against my nemesis and failed to slay him. Instead of killing me he chose to send me here, hoping my resolve will break in this darkness...” Zest said as he looked forward. “Most of my past is a mystery, but I have been lucky to be able to live in a world of light. Even the light that resides deep within me...I feel it is something precious. I fought the darkness countless times in the name of light, but I know that light and darkness are two sides of the same coin...” Zest said as he looked upwards at the darkened skies. “Pardon my monologue, but what I desire here is to learn about the darkness and to perhaps maybe find an answer here...” Zest said looking forward once more. “But if I may ask what brings you here...and...” Zest began to say as he calmly looked over at her “Do you have those who are waiting for you?” Zest said.